Overland Telegraph Construction party. L-R John A.G. Little, R.C. Patterson, Charles Todd and A.J. Mitchell.

One of the greatest engineering feats of nineteenth century Australia, the Overland Telegraph Line enabled communication between Australia with the rest of the world. The telegraph line generally followed explorer John McDougall Stuart's 1862 route through the centre of the continent, which had been guided by indigenous tracks that linked water sites. Stuart did not make a thorough survey of these lands so much of the country was relatively unknown.

In 1870 the South Australian Government authorized construction of the 3200 kilometre line from Port Augusta to Darwin (Adelaide to Port Augusta was already completed). Concurrently the British-Australian Telegraph Company undertook to lay undersea cable from Java to Darwin. Charles Todd, South Australian Superintendent of Telegraphs, managed the vast project, which was divided into three parts: northern and southern sections handled by private contractors, and the central section built by the Government.

Steady progress was made in the northern section until November 1870 when the incoming wet season created extreme conditions with heavy rain, bringing disease and ruining food supplies. Workers went on strike, the contract was cancelled, and under pressure to complete the project, the South Australian Government had to take over construction. In July 1871 Robert Patterson was placed in charge, and in January 1872 Charles Todd arrived at Roper River. The rains abated by April, and the lines were finally completed on 22 August 1872.

Clune, Frank. Overland telegraph: the story of a great Australian achievement and the link between Adelaide and Port Darwin, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1955

Taylor, Peter. An end to silence: the building of the Overland Telegraph Line from Adelaide to Darwin, Sydney: Methuen Australia, 1980

Thomson, Alice. The singing line, London: Chatto & Windus, 1999

Australian Dictionary of Biography Onlinesee: Patterson, Robert Charles (1844-1907); Todd, Sir Charles (1826-1910)

State Library of South Australia, Mortlock Wing: A rich tapestry. August 2004-